So a bear and a bull walk into a bar and after they take a seat, the bull says “I’ll get the first round, what you having?”…the bear, licking his lips replies “I’ll have………a beer”. The bull, impatient asks “Why the big pause?” The bear simply retorts “I dunno, I was born with them!” …As shitty as that joke is, I intend to make up for it in sheer Segway value; so if you’ll let me explain, allow me to introduce to you PAGANS. Formed somewhere oop north, the internet-based duo consists of Vocalist Luther Williams (Who you may also find in the band THE ANTIQUITY) and multi-instrumentalist Adam Bulpitt, and the pair got together strictly as part of a studio-only project after meeting at university. Inspired by a love of artists such as SYLOSIS and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER they’ve created an EP under the name of “The Bear And The Bull” (See it made sense in the end!)…will they pull no punches? Or are they too the punch-line to a shitty joke? Let’s find out…

The EP opens up with the track “Fathoms” and initially we just have the soft, creepily plucked guitar providing an almost hypnotic introduction; there’s no ascension, no gradual build…it simply lulls and lingers there for just short of a minute, where we then quickly erupt with a visceral dose of tormented, sludge-heavy death metal. The drone of the guitar and the duel-tone vocals of Williams; half demonic growls, half savage snarling giving the track a true sense of viciousness and foreboding…one can only fathom at the depths off hell this came from…”Cranium Tomb” then follows up and wastes absolutely no time whatsoever. After a brief drum flurry we’re right back at it with a lot more emphasis on those guttural growls, which accompanied by their blend of technical death and retro thrash influences, combining a mixture of chord progressions, off-kilter riffs and key-changes; it’s enough to make your skull collapse under the sheer force of uncontrollable head-banging.

The shortest of the five offerings then, is “Pig Iron” and make no mistake, vocally here Williams sounds like tomorrow’s bacon being roughly fucked with a hot iron…and musically it couldn’t be more fitting to soundtrack such a scene. Blunt, full of aggression and assertive, until it just dissipates...blacks out, unable to take anymore. “I, The Marked One” continues with the pummelling though instrumentally there are more subtle hooks coming through the guitar which do stand out, before closing track “Into The Dawn” ends proceedings like we started; with some softly plucked guitar leading into another scorching death metal assault, although again the guitar does provide a touch more melody this time around. So, the question remains, are the bear and the bull simply part of the set up to a punch-line? Not really no, as they are as every bit as ferocious and intimidating as the animals they represent from a musical standpoint, and if you prefer to be mauled by your metal then be sure to check these out. Not a fan of the vocals? They’ve even got you covered there as the EP has 5 additional purely instrumental cuts for you to get whiplash to, but you don’t get the full level of intensity as was intended. Don’t get too attached though, odds on you’ll not be seeing them live…and that’s a load of bull! [5]

Africa as a whole is an incredible place…whether you’re in awe of its vast array of wildlife seen on various nature documentaries, or in dismay at some of the struggles of poverty and hopelessness outside its main cities, it truly is a fascinating and diverse continent from coast to coast. One thing that isn’t often discussed however is Africa’s alternative music culture; we can all recognise and associate traditional instrumentation, rhythmic and expressive with a lot of woodwind and percussion as seen in film and TV footage, but that’s all a cliché, there’s plenty of stuff you’re not going to hear or see on National Geographic, and that’s where today’s band comes in; let me introduce you to LELAHELL.

Formed in Algeria by vocalist Reduoane Aouameur in 2010, they quickly took to the Algerian extreme metal scene until finally releasing their debut album in 2013, “Al Insane…The (Re) Birth Of Abderrahmane”; conceptually based on the divine Muslim name closest to Allah. 2018 sees them return with the 2nd part of the concept via the album “ALIF”; the first letter of the Arabian alphabet, symbolic of beginnings, as Abderrahmane takes his first steps in a new life, akin to a child learning to walk and speak…let’s check it out.

The album kicks off with “Paramnesia” in a very literal sense as immediately we’re met with a flurry of double-kick drums, leading into rumbling bass riffs and intense, chugging guitar. The build while gradual still manages to sound heavy without yet truly letting rip, until Reduoane’s vocals kick in and his guttural grumbling’s allow the track to become a barrage of death metal which is impressively sustained throughout. The occasional guitar lick incorporates subtle African tones which break up the technical brutality quite well, providing a decent if not slightly regimented start. “Ignis Fatuus” follows up and right away we’re subject to more up-tempo, thrash-inspired speed metal and for the most part the vocals take on more of a rasping snarl; full of piss and vinegar highlighting an anger and bitterness fueled by false hope.

The rest of the album really speaking then, delivers mostly more of the same over its ten-track run time…bar a couple of select notable points. “Insiraf / Martyr” utilises an off-kilter poly-rhythmic approach that takes influence from the realms of prog-metal…”Adam The First” while sounding incredibly sludgy does have an wonderfully frenetic guitar solo that breaks things up nicely…”Thou Shalt Not Kill” is a great orchestral-led piece full of rich strings sounding almost cinematic, but sadly it’s no more than a 30 second intro / interlude track which is a real shame, as its sense of drama and suspense is honestly intriguing, before closing track “Impunity Of The Mutants” rounds things off embracing some semi-Nordic darkness courtesy of blast-beats and sinister guitar tones, something fans of say, IMMORTAL or early SATYRICON would appreciate. Overall from a technical standpoint Lelahell have to be applauded as for the most part they sound crisp, there’s some solid production here and it’s all aided by the fact renowned death metal sticks-man Hannes Grossmann (HATE ETERNAL / NECROPHAGIST) has recorded drums for them, though they aren’t a one-man team. If you prefer your metal as harsh and unforgiving as the Sahara desert at midday with nothing but your own piss to drink, you’ll likely appreciate this and it’s extreme metal nuances…if you’re looking for more melody in your metal then this isn’t likely going to do much for you. [6]

Local music scenes; you know, grassroots level…all bands start here as it’s where you hone your craft, you learn, you play to 5 people in a little bar, you make mistakes and you gain experience…it’s a long and difficult road for many. Some bands strike it lucky and get a break, some fizzle out…but the good thing about music at this level is that in a way it’s like Lego. Nothing is truly established at this level so often you’ll see mergers with bands, members swapping around like some sort of musical swingers club until the little pieces click together in the right place for whatever it is you’re trying to make…and this is what happened with today’s band. Let me introduce you to DEMOCRATUS. The Cwmbran based outfit (Consisting of vocalist Steve Jenkins, guitarists Kerrin Beckwith and Joey Watkins, bassist Stu Rake and drummer Zak Skane) comprise of former members of COUNTERHOLD, CANNIBAL GOD and ALIVE IN SALEM and together they’ve recently dropped their debut EP appropriately titled “Starting Again”…being a democrat myself it’s only fair I give them a chance…

The EP opens up with the title track and immediately we’re met with a classic metal vibe within the guitar licks, the riffs and overall vocal tone…structurally the track takes influence from several genres to create an honest, heavy onslaught of down to business metal…there are thrash elements, there are touches of black metal, subtle nods to power metal in the clean vocals but the bulk of the track has its roots in melodic death and it works really very well…truth be told the clean power vocals are probably the weakest part of this, they lack an assertiveness felt within the rest of the track but it’s a strong start nevertheless. EP highlight “Life For A Life” follows up and it’s a politically charged battle cry about the gulf in living standards and social equality, aimed at our current wealthy Conservative clique...it’s got some decent riffs and chord progression and the solo is a lovely touch too, and it all combines to create a very powerful and more importantly relevant track.“The Furious Horde” returns to a more thrash influenced sound, it’s raw, fast paced and hard with some shredding guitar and a slightly fuzzy overall tone, imagine a sound somewhere between SLAYER and GWAR musically, before “Endless Prophecy” again then takes it up a notch and implements more of their death metal influences in a short, sharp two-minute barrage a la DEATH and finally then, the closing track “Deity”. Probably the weakest track of the EP, it struggles to properly get going and despite some crunching riffs here and there the track itself is pretty sluggish overall, dragging itself across the finish line in the end and ending the EP pretty abruptly with a sense of “Oh?”…although to its credit it’s a nice little atheist anthem, there’s not enough of them if you ask me. Ultimately the EP is a decent one and by starting again per se they’ve allowed themselves the time as musicians to regroup. A change in direction from some of their past efforts elsewhere but the fresh start has done them good, there’s some solid metal on offer here and some heartfelt song-writing…if you like it heavy, then do the right thing…vote for Democratus; metal for the many, not the few. [6]

Sinister Visions Records are a new independent label with a fresh perspective. One that will support exceptional artists who have a lot of potential but aren’t necessarily seen as commercially viable.

They are currently raising funds to launch their new way of thinking, business-ethical artist-friendly Heavy Metal record label in Greater Manchester, UK. They will be focusing mainly on Thrash, Death, Extreme and Black Metal bands but are not limiting themselves to these genres. If a band can start a decent pit going at a gig then they are most welcome!

Here is what Sinister Visions Records told us:

"Put simply, the only people making money at the moment is Record Labels and this has to change because if bands don't make money then they cannot survive".

​"Our business model is this....the band pays for the studio time, recording costs, mixing and mastering costs. The label pays for the cost of putting the finished album onto CD, LP and/or Cassette (whatever is agreed with each band), it also pays for any necessary advertising and PR costs". "Any profits from the sale of music after production, advertising costs and monthly donations (oh, we forgot to mention that didn't we? A set percentage which is to be confirmed but likely around 10-15% will be donated to mental health chariites) is split 50/50 with the band".​"We are by no stretch classed as "Tree Huggers" but we are mindful enough about the planet and switched on enough to know that we would prefer and insist on (where possible) to use recycled packaging and materials for all our releases. We have been pricing up the costings involved such as recycled card for all digipack releases and vinyl record sleeves etc and these are not much more (if at all) than the costings of non-recycled materials but as that big supermarket chain says - "Every little helps".

While the record label will be going ahead regardless, by clicking on the link above, you'll be taken directly to the SINISTER VISIONS KickStarter campaign page, where you can donate money towards helping the label hit the ground running and make it success not just for the team involved, but for all the bands who will work with them in the future, giving them the best possible start. All donations are welcome and appreciated but if you donate so much, you will be rewarded with items like physical CD's or T-Shirts from the label, or even digital downloads from the label's roster...or...if you really want to splash the cash and are feeling generous (Should you have the funds spare) you can even get a performance from one of the artists in your own home, or even have yourself named as an executive producer on a future release. If you want to do your bit to support up and coming metal...donate now!

If I were to utter the phrase, “Jesus Is A Cunt”…odds on I’d get one of two reactions. I’d either be greeted with a heap of hostility; morally sentenced to an afterlife-time in hell (For the record, Jesus simply could not have been a cunt, on account of his lack of existence, but, I’m sure, had he been real…he MIGHT have been a cunt)…or…you’d of course realise that I was about to make a reference to CRADLE OF FILTH. Yes the Suffolk based black metal mob formed back in the early 90’s and have courted their fair share of controversy over the years, that now infamous t-shirt included, but as time has gone by and the shock-tactics have worn thin, COF have steadily become one of the UK’s most prolific metal acts, rising from their underground status to one of the most recognised names in extreme metal, and despite numerous line-up changes throughout their colourful history, front-man Dani Filth still stands firm as they recently released their newest record “Cryptoriana: The Seductiveness Of Decay”…the question is, can their new music still seduce us or has quality decayed over time? Let’s find out…

We open up with “Exquisite Torments Await” and from a titular standpoint it’s wholly accurate, such is COF’s often grandiose yet macabre musical onslaught and it sets us up for the album really rather well; initially sounding more like the score from a horror movie with its chilling atmospherics, we soon descend into the depths of hell with a flurry of metal and some ominous Latin-esque verse, layered within like something out of THE OMEN, it’s typically foreboding as we lead directly into the albums lead single “Heartbreak And Séance”. It starts off rather melodically with some smooth guitar but it quickly escalates into COF’s trademark blend of fast-paced demonic thrash metal, Dani’s vocals piercing as ever with one of the most distinctive shrieks in all of metal, adding perfect character to their traditionally dark lyrics. The same can also be said of “Achingly Beautiful”…another trademark shriek from Dani, double kick-drums and even a subtle layering of church organ, add to that backing vocals by Lindsay Schoolcraft in her narrative delivery, we’re treated to a dose of old school Gothic COF.

The title track here; “The Seductiveness Of Decay” hammers home the main theme of the album as a whole…firmly planted in Victorian England, Dani states that the album has been inspired by the Victorian’s obsession with the macabre, the supernatural…all of their fascinations with ghosts and the ghoulish and it’s delivered within a prog-inspired Gothic metal onslaught, despite it’s obvious ferocity in places it goes though certain key changes, assisting in the story telling through the era, before we’re met with album highlight “Vengeful Spirit”. Featuring returning collaborator and former LEAVE’S EYES vocalist Liv Kristine, the dual-tone vocal approach softens the song ever so slightly (despite a simply shredding guitar solo) and it only amps up the Gothic feeling here, before eventually we finish up on a cover; “Alison Hell” by Canadian thrash veterans ANNIHILATOR. Naturally tweaked to accommodate COF’s own chilling, atmospheric styling’s, it’s appropriate by name and gives general fans of metal an extra little treat…and it’s better than their cover of “Temptation” so at least there’s that going for it already. Overall though, it’s a solid record and credit to COF for their consistency over the years…admittedly some tracks tend to blur with little distinction between them musically, and with an average track length of around 7 minutes it’s not a casual listen and to many it would appear to drag on, especially if you aren’t a fan of Dani’s high pitched vocals, but it’s a decent record with a strong theme, however I’m hardly seduced. [6]

When it boils down to it, being in a band is essentially like being in a relationship…it’s people coming together, giving it a go, trying to find that spark, that chemistry and, sometimes it works right off the bat. There are still, believe it or not a select few bands that have been together, unchanged since day one; bands like GARBAGE who formed in the early nineties, or more impressively, U2 who have had a consistent line-up since 1978! (Seriously guys you could get less time for murder…) but as we know, a lot of relationships don’t last, people come and go, get dumped, get replaced, and it’s the same for bands…shuffle the ranks, new vocalist etc…and it’s not always amicable. Let’s take VENOM for example…originally formed in 1979, they went on to release one of the most important metal album’s in history; “Black Metal”…it practically kick-started an entire new genre, fusing together elements of thrash and heavy metal with satanic lyricism…but, it wasn’t enough to keep them all together and subsequently they had more line-up changes than the Power Rangers…however, despite vocalist Cronos now doing his own thing, three former members (Vocalist Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan, guitarist Jeffery “Mantas” Dunn and drummer Anthony “Abaddon” Bray) have returned under the moniker of VENOM INC. and they have recently dropped their come-back album “Avé”…let’s ave’ a look shall we?

We open up very boldly on the 8-minute epic “Avé Satanas” and initially we’re greeted with the sweet, angelic tones of the Hail Mary…but the tranquility is soon shattered by the deep, demonic growl of the devil himself as he invites you to instead Hail Satan…it’s all incredibly gimmicky and a touch pantomime but there’s always been a level of theater to metal, thematically returning to their dark roots here. Musically it’s quite lethargic for the most part; it chugs along and feels every bit as long as it’s 8-minute run time which is sadly not a good thing…luckily, follow up tracks “Forged In Hell” and “Metal We Bleed” pick the pace right up as far more livelier offerings! The former utilising an up-tempo, thrash-inspired approach to classic metal, coupled with more of the rough, guttural vocals, and it has to be said the solo here is really quite captivating, this is much better, while the latter continues the onslaught with more pacey speed-metal…I can’t however get the image of GWAR and LORDI out of my head because of the vocals…

​Lead single “Dein Fleisch” uses a deep, bass-heavy riff to give-off a sense of darkness, sinister intentions, while in the back ground you can hear an almost sensual suffering courtesy of female moaning…it’s a very sultry track, focusing on suppressed urges and giving into your desires; the pleasures of the flesh, mental and physical corruption and musically it fits very well, before musically we pick up the pace again with “Time To Die”…very frenetic, it channels the likes of SLAYER in it’s unrelenting delivery, the gang vocals adding an intensity, before “War” kicks in and HOLY SHIT BRAUN STROWMAN! I jest…it opens up with a battle cry and continues to pummel the listener, another fine solo to boot, it’s very stylish this, until we then finish up on “Black N Roll”…very possibly a tongue in cheek reference to black metal and a bit of a dig but regardless, it ends the album on a strong note. They might not have the same impact now as they did in the early 80’s, but there is a respect and admiration for these veterans as has been proven on the live stage in recent years…it’s hardly ground-breaking stuff this but it’s nice to have them back, they are venom incorporated, but we are part of that too…let’s black n roll bitch! [6]

It has to be said, I like the simple things in life; you know like, irony…I have a thing for irony, I’m easily amused! The concept of being run over by an ambulance for example tickles me, or a vegan with aggressive hay fever (even the plants are fed up of you..) so when an intense, post-hardcore black metal band called HEXIS comes along, I had to chuckle…Hexis if you didn’t know derives from a Latin term meaning stable disposition…so the two naturally go hand in hand… (I’m calm…I’m calm…I’m calm…I’M GOING TO BURN DOWN THAT FUCKING CHURCH!) But all jokes aside, since their formation in Copenhagen in 2010, they’ve been pretty busy! They’ve already released 4 split singles, 2 full length albums and this; “XII”(featuring Filip Andersen on vocals, Victor on both bass and guitar, and Tommaso on drums) is their 4th EP…not bad for seven years! Let’s compose ourselves and check it out…

We open up with the brutally brief “Derelictus” and as its name suggests it lays waste to all before it with little to no remorse…leaving the listener a hollow, abandoned shell, empty of reason. A real bullet point of a track at just over a minute in length, it hits hard and fast with a flurry of furious riffs coupled with raspy, hellish vocals and pummelling percussion and, just like the onslaught of a winter storm, it’s over as soon as it starts, a ferocious introduction this…we follow up with “Nefarius” and it utilises a slower introduction, allowing the listener to compose themselves if only momentarily…it’s brooding and really rather wicked in tone which again, befits its name, before we’re subject to yet more horrifyingly fast black-metal riffs and percussion…

The rest of the EP continues in a similar fashion pretty much…”Famelicus” slots directly in behind and plays with a morbid sense of desperation…equally unrelenting, and with the cries of “Nothing is sacred”…you feel there is a hunger for purpose…it hammers home a sense of suffering, while “Miseria” flows through with smooth continuation…another short one at two minutes, it soon bursts into life with pent up demonic rage, before closing track “Sacrificium” ends things on a very dramatic, almost cinematic note…the whole track comes across as grand, epic and climatic and rounds things off very well…inspired by the likes of CELESTE and THOU…you can hear where the influences of sludge and hardcore have combined with their Danish/Scandinavian black metal roots and it’s created a wall of noise that’s certainly not to be scoffed at…at just five tracks, it’s worth enduring the intensity to get through this beastly little EP…which gives you just over a quarter of an hour to go burn down that church. [5]

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Gavin J Griffiths, a.k.a GavTheGothicChav, lover of new music and supporter of bands. Inspired by a mixture of horror and comedy, and fueled by a blend of alcohol and sarcasm...if you're singer / in a band and would like a review written up, please do get in touch via the email address at the top of the page and I'll get back to you ASAP. Much love x